Review Fujifilm X-E5 with kit lens Fujinon XF 23mm f2.8 R WR
The specifications of the Fujifilm X-E5
The specifications of the Fujinon XF 23mm f2.8 R WR
Last weekend I have got the opportunity to test the NEW Fujifilm X-E5 camera with the kit lens Fujinon XF 23mm f2.8 R WR. Fujifilm has opened, at the beginning of the year, in Düsseldorf at the “Alt Stadt” a show room called the X-DEN. It is a location that is only opened at some unregular days in a month. It´s a place where Fujifilm Product Experts and Product Marketing Manager meet the real Fujifilm User. They can learn about experiences and product and feature wishes. The X-DEN is a location is like a club house with Fujifilm products to test, exciting photo books sample images of highly talented professional Fujifilm Photographer. An analog turn table invites to great relaxing music, coffee, cool soft drinks and even tasty beers are rounding up the creative atmosphere. This is unique.
During the opening hours of the X-DEN, one can borrow equipment (cameras and lenses) for testing. A great field for those tests is to use the borrowed equipment on one of the photo walks that are often offered for free during the opening hours of the X-DEN.
Last week a photo walk with the topic “The ASTIA film emulation” has been organized. The photo walk has been provided by a very experienced professional Fujifilm photographer. He offered a lot of advice how to set up perfectly the cameras. ASTIA is an emulation that typically is used for portrait photography as this emulation is offering smooth colors and to a certain degree less contrast and sharpness. The question to me has been, can I use ASTIA also for classical street photography. Have a close look to the images and tell me.
Let me get to the topic of this blog entry, the Fujifilm X-E5 in use review.
The X-E5 is the newest camera just released by Fujifilm. Sensor, IBIS and image processing is based on their latest 40 MPixel APSC technology also used in the famous Fujifilm X-T5. The housing is compact, even more compact and more lightweight compared to my loved X-PRO3. In common with the X-PRO3 is the extreme high build quality and outstanding haptic. Compared to its predecessor the X-E4, all needed manual wheels and buttons are back and additional they have added for the first time a film simulation selection wheel. Next to standard Film Emulations there are 3 free programable slots on the wheel, we can implement three homemade simulation settings that are shared in many Fujifilm user forums.
Many people are complaining on the internet that the X-E5 is lagging weather sealing, the EVF has, e.g. compared to the X-T5, a lower resolution as well as the LCD screen on the back.
To me lower screen and electronical view finder resolution are no issue at all. A lower resolution screen might even use less power and extends the battery life. By using the X-PRO3, I got used to switch of the rear screen and I am not checking every single photo I am taking.
The missing of weather sealing is to me a more important point. I am used to use no camera bag. I always carry the camera, secured by a wrist strap, with me. No matter what the weather condition might be. But let’s be realistic, I am doing this for 46 years, and many cameras I used, starting from the Yashica TL Electro, Canon A1, Nikon F3 or Panasonic LX 100 II, have not been weather sealed. In fact, I only saw once a damaged camera by heavy rain, during a Luminale photo walk in Frankfurt, that a Canon Camera, without weather sealing, stopped functioning. The Nikon D1s I used at that time had no issue at all even dripping from the heavy rain. The Nikon D1s is weather sealed.
Besides this only issue, the Fujifilm X-E5 is very well balanced and a perfect match to most Fujifilm and third party prime lenses. The autofocus, in combination with the Fujinon XF 23mm f2.8 R WR (the lens is weather sealed) is very fast and reliable to the point. No searching or pumping. Also the eye detection is performing at a very high level and as well extreme reliable. Fujifilm did their homework. Thanks a lot.
The wheels are turning with a firm click resistance. The combination of wheels with switches is something I would not miss but also does not disturb at my point of view. All is emphasizing the premium approach of the Fujifilm X-E5.
The kit lens Fujinon XF 23mm f2.8 R WR is a perfect companion to the X-E5. I have added below some images I made during the photo walk. Please have a close look to the constant high image quality all over the sample images and not only at the image center. All this even at different diaphragm settings I marked on the sample pictures. A brick wall as used in this test makes the comparison and quality proof very easy.
To complete the review, I have added screen shots of the specifications and also added the link to the Fujifilm pages offering that information.
Verdict
The Fujifilm X-E5 is with or without the Fujinon XF 23mm f2.8 R WR kit lens a great new camera. Providing the state-of-the-art 40 MPixel sensor and IBIS technology in a very high-quality viewfinder style housing. Perfect for travel, street and as always on hand camera. The new film emulation dial is my highlight.
I am very sure this camera will be a best seller all over the world.
